Hotspot classification in Ethiopia - June 2017

The number of woredas (districts) of Ethiopia requiring urgent humanitarian response has returned to levels not seen since the height of El Niño drought impacts in 2016, and have increased in terms of total number affected and those classified as Priority 1. Of the 461 current hotspots, nearly half (228) are considered top priority. From December 2016 to June 2017, the status of 102 woredas worsened while just 34 improved.

Hotspot classification is derived using six multisector indicators, including agriculture, nutrition and markets, agreed at regional and federal levels. A hotspot matrix is often used as a proxy for the acute Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and is indicative of food security and nutrition status. Scaled from Priority 1 to 3, hotspot woredas require urgent humanitarian response.